Vinca major  L.   Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)   Europe   Greater Periwinkle    Blue Periwinkle

                                         March Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Trailing perennial herb, sterile stems trailing a meter or so long, fertile stems erect, shorter; lvs. ovate-orbicular, dark green, 2-3 cm. long, on petioles 0.5-2 cm. long; fls. solitary in axil of every other lf., violet or blue, 2.5-3 cm. long; corolla salverform, with callous constriction at throat, the lobes asymmetric; stamens attached near top of corolla tube, filaments sharply bent near base; style slender; stigma annular; follicles 4-5 cm. long, narrow, terete, somewhat torulose; seeds many, compressed, truncate at both ends.

Habitat:  Occasional escape about old dwelling-sites and becoming naturalized, especially in shaded places below 3000 ft.; Santa Catalina and Santa Cruz Ids.  March-July.

Name:  Vinca, ancient Latin name, possibly meaning to bind or conquer.  (Hickman, Ed. 169).  Latin, major, of a larger kind or form.  (Jaeger 148).

General:   Uncommon in the study area, found only on the southerly edge of the 23rd St. area and in upper Big Canyon along the watercourse.  (my comments).     About 12 species of Old World.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif.).

Text Ref:  Bailey 812; Hickman,  Ed. 169; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 90.

Photo Ref:  Jan-Mar 96 # 26,27,28.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by John Johnson.

Computer Ref: Plant Data 490.

Have plant specimen.

Last edit 10/16/02.

                                            March Photo